Willem Giliomee will officiate at the U20 World Wrestling Championships in Slovakia, while Pieter Janse van Rensburg heads to Georgia for the UWW Beach Wrestling World Series.
South Africa (21 June 2026) – South African wrestling will have representation on two international stages in the coming months, with referee Willem Giliomee earning a prestigious appointment at the 2026 U20 World Wrestling Championships in Slovakia.
Giliomee has been selected by the international governing body, the United World Wrestling, to officiate at the championships in Bratislava from 16 to 23 August. The appointment is a significant recognition of his standing within the sport and reflects years of dedication to officiating at the highest level.
His selection is also another positive step for South African wrestling, highlighting the growing reputation of local officials on the international stage.
The South African Wrestling Federation congratulated Giliomee on the achievement, describing it as recognition of his professionalism, integrity and contribution to the sport. While Giliomee prepares for one of wrestling’s premier global events, another South African official will also be flying the country’s flag internationally.
Pieter Janse van Rensburg is in Georgia, where he took part in the 2026 UWW Beach Wrestling World Series. Before the competition got underway, he will attended the UWW Referees’ Course on 19 June, before serving as an official at the World Series event on 20 and 21 June.
Although neither Giliomee nor Janse van Rensburg will be competing as athletes, their appointments underline the important role South Africans continue to play in the development and administration of the sport worldwide. While athletes often take centre stage, these appointments shine a spotlight on the officials who help make international competition possible.
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